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The recently founded Clare Farm Heritage Tours Co-op is now offering guided tours of the beautiful and unique Burren environment with its abundance of archaeological monuments, pre-historical sites and examples of traditional farming. The co-operative of nine North Clare farmers continue a tradition of farming in the Burren which dates back over 6000 years. More than 100 archaeological sites and monuments have been identified throughout land currently farmed and managed by members of the co-op. With the establishment of the Clare Farm Heritage Tours Co-op, the landowners can now offer guided access to these sites and monuments, which are representative of the treasures of north Clare.

“Growing up in the Burren, the knowledge of its ancient history and the heritage farming practices used here were part of our everyday education since early childhood. We enjoy sharing that knowledge and are open and excited to learn bits of new information that other Burren experts can offer. Every farm tour is as much an experience to us as we are aspiring to make it a day to remember for our visitors.” says Frank O’Grady, secretary of Clare Farm Heritage Tours.

The nine members of the Co-op are: Pat McCormack (Kilnaboy), Harry Jeuken (Kilnaboy), Michael Vaughan (Lahinch), Michael Killeen (Corofin), Patrick Nagle (Corofin), Frank O’Grady (Kilnaboy), Robert Cassidy (Carron), Michael Curtis (Kilnaboy) and Michael Davoren (Kilcorney). Clare Farm Heritage Tours is a member of the Burren Ecotourism Network and as such employs local people in promoting heritage, archaeology, geology and farming practice while also educating visitors about the fragility of the Burren and the importance of its conservation for future generations.

The Farm Tours are both educational and fun, allowing visitors to hear about the landscape of the Burren direct from the people who live and work in the Burren. The farm tours are provided by individual landowners, who share their inherent wealth of knowledge about local history and archaeology, landscape heritage and geology, and farming practices (both old and new), as well as innumerable anecdotes and tales about the Burren and its people.

“Clare Farm Heritage Tours is a great off-the-beaten-track opportunity for people to get an insight into the Burren’s rich heritage and culture both past and present with those that know it best, the landowners.” Said Brigid Barry, Burrenbeo Trust Coordinator. She further explained, “The Burren is a patchwork quilt of past remnants. Each piece of farmland has its own story, its own archaeological, historical and geological features. And each of these Clare Farm Heritage individuals are experts of their patch with information on the land, the folklore and the environment has been passed down through the generations that adds to the vast story that is the Burren. Having access to this information is a great privilege for visitors to the area.”

The tours run daily at 2pm from the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron. Tours take about 2 hours and sturdy shoes are advisable. For further information call 065 7089944 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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